THE new North Coast Fisheries has been officially opened in Coffs Harbour by Minister for Primary Industries Katrina Hodgkinson and local member for Coffs Harbour Andrew Fraser.
“Coffs Harbour is the nucleus for commercial fishing in NSW so it is a perfect fit for the State’s commercial fisheries management to be based here,” Ms Hodgkinson said.
“North Coast Fisheries consists of a newly refurbished office at the Coffs Harbour Jetty and the existing Marine Parks office. Research and records staff will be based at the National Marine Science Centre at the Southern Cross University Coffs Harbour campus.
“This is the next stage of the NSW Government’s election commitment of a Decade of Decentralisation.
“We are bringing up to 20 new jobs to Coffs Harbour which will provide a boost to employment, economic and social benefits to the region.
“Commercial fisheries staff will be working to implement the recently announced commercial fisheries reform program.
“Recreational fisheries, marine park and research staff will work alongside them to support our important fisheries industry and aquatic environments,” Ms Hodgkinson said.
Functions in Coffs Harbour include:
commercial fisheries management;
recreational fisheries management;
fisheries research;
fisheries business services, co-ordinating commercial catch records;
fisheries compliance; and
marine parks management.
“North Coast Fisheries in Coffs Harbour will improve communication with stakeholders and help build a better understanding of the issues we face.
“Further to this, fisheries positions co-located at the National Marine Science Centre will strengthen the alliance between the NSW Government and Southern Cross University,” Ms Hodgkinson said.
Mr Fraser said it is great to see the NSW Government supporting regional NSW and bringing key fisheries services to where the majority of the action occurs.
